Depends on if it's fully of cars with local plates or from other states. I trust locals, not so much tourists. Also, it depends on how much time I have, because waiting is sometimes not an option. Time of day is a consideration as well, since my lunch and dinner breaks are not standard. If it's not so full at 2pm, I don't think much of it.

A fllu parking lot does not mean a thing nto me. Around here, the Reeky Lobster, Malodorous Olive Garden and other chain parking lots are filled to the brim...................all that means is the the sheep are gathering.

A fllu parking lot does not mean a thing nto me. Around here, the Reeky Lobster, Malodorous Olive Garden and other chain parking lots are filled to the brim...................all that means is the the sheep are gathering.

If we see folks waiting "outside", we will normally pass. If it is a special meal and/or we have reservations, we will go ahead, but that doesn't happen often. We usually say... too long a wait, and go somewhere else. (assuming we are in an area where there IS somewhere else )!

I'll opt for a full parking lot. I found Jim 'n Nicks in Birmingham that way. Delicious ribs. They were so good that when our waitress came over and said all they had for dessert was banana cream pie, we said, "We'll just have another rack of ribs"!

I'm more tolerant of larger crowds and longer waits if I'm stopping at a restaurant that I specifically planned for; for example, Larrison's Diner in Seymour, Indiana at high noon. It was packed and ordinarily I would've simply moved on to someplace else, but it had been recommended here and since I didn't know when I'd next be in Seymour I stopped.